Placental Insufficiency

Placental insufficiency is the failure of the placenta to supply nutrients to the fetus and remove toxic wastes.

What is going on in the body?

When the placenta fails to develop or function properly, the fetus cannot grow and develop normally. The earlier in the pregnancy that this occurs, the more severe the problems. If placental insufficiency occurs for a long time during the pregnancy, it may lead to intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR).

What are the causes and risks of the condition?

Between 3 to 7% of all pregnancies are complicated by IUGR due to placental insufficiency. A low birth weight may be suspected if the size of the woman's uterus is smaller than what is expected for each week of pregnancy. The woman has a higher risk of having a child with IUGR if the following are present:

What are the signs and symptoms of the condition?

There are usually no symptoms with placental insufficiency. However, a mother may notice that the size of her uterus is smaller than in previous pregnancies. The fetus may also be moving less than expected.

How is the condition diagnosed?

Pregnancy ultrasounds can be used to check on the growth of the fetus and placenta. It is important that this condition be diagnosed early in the pregnancy. This is to prevent the serious complications that may arise for the baby during labor as well as in later life.

What can be done to prevent the condition?

Most cases of placental insufficiency and IUGR cannot be prevented. However, there are several tests that can be done early in pregnancy to help detect problems. These include:

Pregnant women can also do the following to help prevent these conditions:

Before becoming pregnant, women should follow a healthy diet that contains folate. This can help to decrease the rate of certain fetal anomalies.

What are the long-term effects of the condition?

Long-term effects of placental insufficiency depend on the underlying cause. During the pregnancy a mother may be restricted to bed and have to take several precautions.

The long-term effects for the a baby born following placenta insufficiency can be serious. After birth, he or she will tend to remain physically small. There is a higher risk for neurological and intellectual impairments. Major disabilities include severe communication\ \education, including reading, writing, and basic math\ \motor function\ \personal care, such as bathing, dressing, eating, and toileting\ \social skills\ \thinking skills, such as decision making, problem solving, and self-direction\ \working\ ',CAPTION,'Mental Retardation');" onmouseout="return nd();">mental retardation, cerebral palsy, and seizures.

What are the risks to others?

With placental insufficiency, there are many risks to the fetus during the pregnancy, at delivery, and after delivery. These risks include:

What are the treatments for the condition?

To treat this condition, the healthcare provider may recommend that the pregnant woman:

What are the side effects of the treatments?

The side effects of surgery include bleeding, infection, and allergic reaction to the anesthesia . Medications have various side effects, including stomach upset, rash, and allergic reaction.

What happens after treatment for the condition?

Placental insufficiency is not considered life-threatening to the mother. However, she may be at risk for significant illness or even death if she has an underlying condition such as high blood pressure or diabetes.

Placental insufficiency may cause serious conditions in the newborn, such as pneumonia, cerebral palsy, or other respiratory problems. A newborn who is born prematurely or with serious medical conditions may need an incubator, a special enclosed bed that can control temperature and oxygen levels.

If a child is born with cerebral palsy, there may be disabilities that require therapy, use of appliances such as crutches or canes, and a daily struggle with medical problems. As the child gets older, there may be a need for special education programs for learning disabilities caused by oxygen and nutritional deprivation while in the uterus.

How is the condition monitored?

If testing later in pregnancy shows that the baby's lungs are mature, then labor should be induced and the baby delivered. The following tests should be done when the fetus is very premature or the lungs haven't matured fully:

Author:Eva Martin, MD
Date Written:
Editor:Smith, Mary Ellen, BS
Edit Date:08/16/00
Reviewer:Eileen McLaughlin, RN, BSN
Date Reviewed:07/02/01

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